Stephen J. Matlock's Blog, page 26

What Would You Do If You Could Bring Conciliation?

This is a review of the book “The Color of Compromise: The Truth about the American Church’s Complicity in Racism” The key issue that continues to break America’s soul is racism. Full stop. One hundred fifty years before Yorktown there … Continue reading →

Goodreads Review: The Color of Compromise, by Jemar Tisby

From The Color of Compromise: The Truth about the American Church’s Complicity in Racism My rating: 5 of 5 stars This is perhaps one of the most accessible, clear, and gentle book you might read about the history of, and … Continue reading →

The Barley Soup Recipe

So this was a tasty dinner tonight: barley soup, from a recipe a friend gave our family for Christmas (along with a few of the ingredients: barley, broth, basil, thyme, canned chopped tomatoes). Add to this a pound of ground … Continue reading →

New Year, New Labels

In thinking about the last year, I’ve struggled to place myself theologically. I am raised Protestant, became a Christian through the efforts of evangelistic movements like Campus Crusade for Christ and InterVarsity, have learned much from my experiences in Calvary … Continue reading →

Feats of Clay

Our heroes are flawed. Our villains have moments of redemptive grace. We live in a complex world, where we cannot depend upon someone being just someone, but instead they are always many things. I bring this up because Christmas 2018 … Continue reading →

Come, Desire of Nations, Come

Come, Desire of nations come,Fix in us Thy humble home;Oh, to all Thyself impart,Formed in each believing heart! Merry Christmas, everyone. Verse by Charles Wesley, 1839 Image “Nativity” by Brian Kershisnik

White People: Follow Directions, Please, and Keep Your Hands and Arms Inside the Vehicle at All Times

I’m shaking my head, still. I posted a note on my wall from Thomas Merton: Our job is to love others without stopping to inquire whether or not they are worthy. It seems fairly intuitive and godly and loving. We … Continue reading →

Does History Matter?

I’m involved in life, like many people, and one thing that fascinates me is how we forget our past when it’s inconvenient but trot out certain myths and memes because they are “real” and important. For example, George Washington is … Continue reading →

Is There Hope for Evangelicals?

I’m having an interesting conversation right now (in private) with a gentleman who wants to know what my issue is with Trump and the wall. I trust his sincerity, that he wants to know what it is that leads me … Continue reading →

The Ugliest Word in American Christian Practice

Of course you know what it is. “Reparations.” I’m watching my white Evangelical brothers and sisters tie themselves up in knots right now over the issues of Reparations. They are coming up with some wonderful theologies of why reparations aren’t … Continue reading →